Costa and Frankel Announce Grant for Wightman Park Rehabilitation and Development

Pittsburgh – December 5, 2017 – Wightman Park, located in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood, will be rehabilitated and further developed with a $500,000 grant from the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), according to state Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and state Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny).

“State grant funding for the rehabilitation and development of the park is critical,” Costa said. “The funding will improve the facility and make it more open and accessible for the entire community.”

The grant through DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnership Program will pay for the construction of a comfort station, infiltration pond, wetland, picnic shelter, basketball courts and other recreation amenities.

“Our parks are community assets that deserve state support,” Frankel said. “An improved Wightman Park – with better facilities and state-of-the-art equipment – will help reinforce the quality of life in the area.”

The grant for the development of Wightman Park was one of 266 approved statewide for park and recreational development and conservation. All told, $44 million in park and recreation grants were approved.

“State investment is often the key that unlocks the potential of a park or recreation facility,” Costa said. “Preserving and protecting our natural resources must remain a top priority.”

Frankel said he was pleased that the rehabilitation of Wightman Park drew the state’s attention and that both he and Costa would continue to seek state funds for viable recreation and conservation projects in Allegheny County.